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Even without the theatrical release, Orion and the Dark is a fascinating early entry into the field of 2024 animation. For starters, the script is primarily penned by Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Known for oddball scripts like Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Being John Malkovich, Orion and the Dark is the first computer-animated film written by Kaufman (who previously wrote and directed stop-motion gem Anomalisa). This makes Orion and the Dark not just any straight-to-Netflix film, but one with a significant talent behind it.

Despite its unusual release plan, reviews for Orion and the Dark have been mostly positive. The film has a Certified Fresh 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its creativity and style. Orion and the Dark’s Netflix popularity only further adds to that success, boding well for the Kaufman-written film.